One Stop Print Shop

Color Tips

Important Color Notes

The Mifflinburg Telegraph will not assume responsibility for incorrect output of photos, completed artwork, logos, etc. submitted as print-ready files. We cannot verbally describe to you what your colors will look like or assure you will like them. The best way to see what they will look like is to see a proof.

If you have questions about preparing your artwork, please contact us and ask to speak to the prepress department. We will gladly assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between RGB & CMYK?
CMYK refers to the ink colors used for all full color printing— Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. RGB refers to the colors Red, Green and Blue, used in computer monitors, digital cameras, scanners and art designed for websites. RGB is used for web work, CMYK is used for print work.

Submitting files to us in RGB will result in them being rejected or converted to grey scale by the imagesetter. We can convert most files to CMYK, but it will be at an additional cost.

How accurately will printed graphics match what is seen on the monitor?
The technology used for offset printing is a CMYK printing process, so therefore when printed, RGB monitor colors are simulated using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks. Because of wide differences in monitors and how they display color, many printed (CMYK) colors do not accurately match the (RGB) colors you see on screen. Bottom line: although close, the final graphics produced are likely to include colors that do not “match” the colors seen on the monitor.

Why does the Blue or Green I selected off of a color pallet not print the same?
Two of the most misunderstood and troublesome colors are screen blue vs. printed blue and screen green vs. printed green. Certain RGB colors displayed on a computer monitor will not reproduce even close to the colors seen on the screen. Your best bet is to use a Pantone Color Matching Book to choose your colors and ignore what you may see on the screen.

Will custom printed graphics match the sample printed out on a printer?
Therefore, there’s no guarantee graphics will accurately match a printed sample you provide. This is due to the widely varying results from different output devices including monitors, inkjet, thermal, dye sublimation and color laser printers, papers, inks, materials and even printers. When it comes to printing color, the presses do very well, but matches are not always perfect.

The final produced product is unlikely to match “side-by-side” the output from a printer!

Will supplied graphics match PANTONE® (PMS) solid ink colors?
The technology used for offset printing is a CMYK printing process, so PMS solid ink colors are simulated using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks. To see how your PMS solid ink colors will reproduce in CMYK, we highly recommend you use a PANTONE® solid to process Color Bridge guide found at www.pantone.com.

The Pantone Color Bridge guide shows what happens when you reproduce PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® (PMS) colors in CMYK. Although many can be successfully simulated, a large majority cannot due to the limitations inherent in four-color process (CMYK) printing. The guide displays PANTONE® colors on stock alongside their closest four-color process match. The CMYK screen values are provided for each process color.

Choosing Color

When choosing color, it is not recommended that you “create” a new color with the color wheel or palettes in the system software because this means that you have just created a color that can only be viewed by the computer monitor (which is RGB). The chances of the color printing the way you want it (or are envisioning it) are very slim.

How the Process Works

When an order is placed and the Telegraph receives a print ready file, the prepress department will inspect it, checking for any potential problems. We will then notify you of any concerns that we may have, if any.

If you have further questions regarding how to prepare your files, please call us at
(570) 966-2255.